Politically finished, scared of Congress: Rahul Gandhi targets PM at CWC meeting

At the Congress Working Committee meeting, Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and set out the party's political line. The discussion widened to youth unrest, Ayodhya donation allegations, China concerns and women's reservation.Rahul Gandhi (File Photo: ITG)Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi told the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “politically finished” and had “come to his knees”, according to sources. Gandhi said the government’s “time is over” and urged Congress workers to remain proud of the party’s ideology, claiming that Modi was “only scared of the Congress”.The remarks came during a four-hour CWC meeting at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi, where the party discussed paper leaks, alleged irregularities in Ram temple donations, China’s alleged incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, E20 fuel and women’s reservation. The Congress also decided to take the paper leak and “chanda chori” issues to the grassroots through nationwide campaigns.CONGRESS TO TAKE PAPER LEAK ISSUE TO GRASSROOTSThe CWC expressed concern over unemployment and alleged failures in the education and examination system, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge accusing the Modi government of “destroying” the future of students.The party said its ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign will now be expanded to nearly 800 cities to raise issues affecting students. Rahul Gandhi will participate in some of these programmes. The four Congress chief ministers have also been asked to prepare reports on reforms required in their respective education and examination systems and submit them to Kharge within a month.The CWC alleged that at least 152 paper leak cases have been reported since 2014 and accused the government of using excessive force against student protesters. It also criticised the handling of the NEET controversy and demanded greater accountability in the education system.RAM TEMPLE DONATION ROW: SC-MONITORED PROBE SOUGHT The Congress also decided to take its allegations of “chanda chori” linked to donations for the Ram temple in Ayodhya to the village and panchayat level.The CWC demanded an independent probe into the allegations under the supervision of the Supreme Court, along with a comprehensive audit of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s accounts and assets, including cash and valuables.The party accused the BJP of using the Ram temple issue for political mobilisation and questioned the Centre’s attempt to distance itself from the matter.CONGRESS TARGETS GOVT OVER CHINA, E20The CWC accused the government of following a “surrender policy” towards China and raised concerns over alleged Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh.It claimed that PLA personnel had restricted Indian access to some patrolling points and traditional grazing areas along the Line of Actual Control. The party also criticised the government over what it described as failures in foreign policy.The Congress reiterated concerns over E20 petrol, including lower mileage, compatibility issues, fuel contamination, loss of consumer choice and the environmental impact of diverting sugarcane and maize towards ethanol production.WOMEN’S QUOTA, VOTING SEATS AND VANDE MATARAMThe CWC reiterated its demand for immediate implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha based on the existing strength of 543 seats, beginning with the 2029 elections.It also demanded that the constitutional freeze on the current strength of the Lok Sabha and its allocation among states be extended for another 25 years.Separately, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party had decided that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ would be sung at all future Congress events, in accordance with a 1937 resolution of the party’s highest decision-making body.The Congress also termed the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament a “success” for the Opposition, saying it had jointly raised issues that kept the government on the back foot.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 23:47 IST